Ashland Emergency Fund

Quietly providing hope to those in need.

Since 1987 the AEF has been Ashland’s behind-the-scenes, private place to which those in need have been able to turn for help.

2008 Annual Report

January 31, 2009

Ashland Emergency Fund - Annual Report: FY2008

Full reports with financials - MS Word Document  -  PDF Document

The financial position of the Ashland Emergency Fund (AEF) is strong. The citizens of Ashland have responded at amazing levels to the need of our citizens. Not only have AEF cash balances recovered nearly to the levels of 2004/5, but the Board could have authorized greater levels of spending last year, had it decided to take the risk. The AEF is once again safe in that it can respond without reservation to a large, single need, or to multiple, smaller needs.

This positive result comes from three revenue sources:

1. general donations to the AEF nearly doubled to $54,133.50, which is almost equal to last year’s total revenue of $55,666.20;
2. proceeds from the AEF/Campership Bingo are stable at $9,000;
3. a Walk-A-Thon held by Ashland Citizens for the AEF returned $9,000.

Public awareness of the need that is here in Ashland is increasing. A group of friends plan dinners at each other’s houses, with the equivalent value of the meal collected as a donation to the AEF; the Walk-A-Thon is entirely an Ashland citizen event; the Select-men are planning a dinner dance; children are donating their allowances rather than buying candy and gum; two businesses have donated refills of tanks of oil/lower priced fuel oil; etc. If you have an idea that you think could generate funds for the AEF; try it out. You may have success and a lot of fun at the same time.

The future of the AEF Bingo continues to remain uncertain; the building is up for sale and the AEF may lose use of the hall. In 2001, the AEF made a decision to increase giving, a decision that had to be reversed in 2004 because of severely reduced Bingo receipts. We will never return to old levels of Bingo receipts but the increase in general giving means that the AEF can increase giving to what it was four years ago. The AEF plans to continue to increase fund-raising operations and to grow the organization.

If you have questions about the AEF, if you would like to become involved, if you have ideas on raising money, please contact any member of the AEF (next page), or write to PO Box 112, Ashland, or call John at 508-881-3404 (office and cell).

If you want to donate to a worthy cause, mail a check to the Ashland Emergency Fund, PO Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721 or go on-line at www.ashlandemergencyfund.com. We are a tax exempt corporation (#22-2959481) and your gift is tax deductible.

For the Board of Directors,

John Ellsworth
Chair – AEF

Full reports with financials - MS Word Document  -  PDF Document